Pharmac
Herceptin study: 'Shorter therapy just as good'
A new study has revealed that women taking the expensive anti cancer drug, Herceptin, have similar survival rates regardless of whether they take it for nine weeks or a year. In 2007 Pharmac was… Audio
Herceptin trial shows 9 weeks as good as a year
A medical trial has shown Pharmac was right when it made a controversial decision to fund the breast cancer drug Herceptin for just nine weeks of treatment. The former National government overturned… Audio
Herceptin study involving NZ women reveals survival rates
Survival rates for women taking Herceptin for breast cancer are similar whether they take a short or long course of treatment on the drug. That's the result of a long-awaited study involving New… Audio
Pharmac replenishes in-demand HPV vaccine
Drug buyer Pharmac is reassuring the public that supplies of the Gardasil vaccine will be replenished today.
NZ drugs prices lowest in study of 10 countries
A new study shows that the prices New Zealand pays for medicines are among the lowest in the world.
'Win-win' as Pharmac drops restrictions on HIV medication
Pharmac is ditching a policy that required New Zealanders diagnosed with HIV to reach a threshold of illness before receiving treatment.
Hep C drug could avert liver transplants - doctors
Hepatitis C sufferers say a highly-expensive drug Pharmac is considering offering to more patients has "given them life".
New drug offers cure for some Hepatitis C sufferers
In a major move that's gone largely under the radar, drug-funder Pharmac is widening access to an expensive medicine. It's Harvoni, for those who are extremely sick with Hepatitis C. Audio
Health groups welcome new drug-funding plans
Health groups are largely welcoming Pharmac's plans for better access to drugs including melatonin, HIV retrovirals and a lung cancer treatment.
Pharmac rejects application to subsidise sanitary items
According to Pharmac, menstruation isn't a health need, so they will not be subsidising tampons and sanitary pads for all women. Audio
Pharmac rejects request to fund tampons, pads
Pharmac will not subsidise tampons and sanitary pads for all women, saying menstruation is a "normal function".
Pharmac looks to fund women's tampons and pads
Government funded health agency Pharmac is considering funding women's sanitary products such as tampons and pads. Charity KidsCan says many girls can't afford the products. Audio
Pharmac Considers Cutting Cost of Sanitary Products
Pharmac is considering whether to help cut the cost of sanitary products. The government funding agency has received an application for it to subsidise the products and hopes to report back to the… Audio
Pharmac and its role in making drugs available
Science communication student Garrett Chin talks with doctors and a health economist about the challenges that Pharmac faces in buying drugs, and what happens when new but expensvie drugs become… Audio
Pharmac pushed to change approach to allergy pens
Pharmac is being urged to encourage the Australian suppliers of allergy injection devices to supply the New Zealand market as well.
'Heartless' to deny breast cancer drug
The Breast Cancer Foundation wants a new drug extended to 160 women already receiving treatment.
Pharmac signs new deal giving women access to new cancer treatment
About 180 women with aggressive breast cancer will soon have access to an expensive new medicine. Audio
Pharmac urged to fund Keytruda for other cancers
A cancer patient given just two days to live five months ago is calling for Keytruda to be publicly funded for cancers other than melanoma. Audio
Pharmac urged to fund Keytruda for other cancers
A cancer patient given just two days to live five months ago is calling on Pharmac to publicly fund Keytruda for cancers other than melanoma. Audio
NZ lagging in melanoma drug funding - study
New Zealand is still far behind Australia and the United Kingdom when it comes to funding of melanoma drugs, according to a new study.
